When it comes to capturing live underwater footage, the camera you choose makes all the difference. Whether you’re fishing, filming, exploring marine life, or conducting underwater inspections, the ability to stream in real-time to your phone or display is crucial. With the rise of systems like Seavu, which enable action cameras to livestream underwater, two contenders stand out: the DJI Action 5 Pro and the GoPro HERO13 Black.
In this article, we compare how these cameras perform in underwater livestreaming, with a focus on two key applications:
Seavu’s Seeker and Explorer Kits allow you to livestream footage from your action camera directly to your phone or tablet using the camera’s app. This setup is ideal for fishing, exploring, marine education, and inspections where real-time visibility is essential.
👍 Verdict:
The DJI Action 5 Pro offers the most stable connection and the best app experience for mobile underwater livestreaming with Seavu kits. Its low-light performance is especially useful when filming deeper or in cloudy conditions.
👍 Verdict:
The GoPro HERO13 is solid, especially with its improved hardware, but is let down slightly by its app reliability. It works well with Seavu, but DJI is the better mobile-streaming option.
The Seavu Explorer+ Pro Kit is the world’s first underwater system to use DisplayPort over USB-C for direct, uncompressed video streaming and power delivery — allowing seamless connection to TVs, monitors, and computers.
Currently, only the DJI Action 5 Pro supports this feature natively, but future action cameras are expected to follow.
👍 Verdict:
The DJI Action 5 Pro is currently the only camera on the market that supports this setup. It delivers exceptional quality, stable power, and unmatched ease of integration with Seavu’s Explorer+ Pro Kit.
At this time, the GoPro HERO13 does not support DisplayPort output over USB-C, making it incompatible with Seavu’s Explorer+ Pro Kit.
While GoPro offers alternatives like webcam mode or HDMI output via the Media Mod, these options come with trade-offs. To achieve both video output and continuous power, you’ll need to run two separate cables — one for HDMI and one for USB-C power — which makes the setup bulkier and more complex.
In contrast, the DJI Action 5 Pro delivers both uncompressed video and power through a single USB-C connection using DisplayPort, offering a streamlined and efficient setup.
🚫 Verdict:
For DisplayPort-based livestreaming with the Seavu Explorer+ Pro Kit, the GoPro HERO13 is not compatible. Until GoPro enables DisplayPort output, the DJI Action 5 Pro remains the only choice.
| Feature | DJI Action 5 Pro | GoPro HERO13 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile App Livestreaming | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent |
| App Experience | ✅ Very user-friendly | ✅ Very good |
| Low-Light Underwater Footage | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent |
| DisplayPort Streaming (TV/PC) | ✅ Fully Compatible | ❌ Not Supported |
| Power While Streaming | ✅ Supported | ❌ Not Compatible |
Both cameras offer exceptional mobile livestreaming performance when used with Seavu’s Seeker or Explorer kits. The GoPro HERO13 delivers crisp footage, strong connectivity, and excellent low-light performance — making it a reliable option for most underwater users.
However, the DJI Action 5 Pro edges ahead for a few key reasons:
If you’re primarily using Seavu to stream to your phone or tablet, both cameras are top-tier. But if you’re also looking to stream to a TV, monitor, or computer, the DJI Action 5 Pro is the clear winner for now.
Seavu Seeker Starter Kit – Stream from DJI or GoPro to your phone
Seavu Explorer Adventure Kit – Stabilised housing for live mobile streaming
Seavu Explorer+ Pro Kit – Direct video output to displays with DJI Action 5 Pro
Ready to dive into real-time underwater viewing? Explore Seavu Kits →
Being able to livestream underwater footage in real time is useful for fishing, reef exploration, inspections, and underwater filming. However, action cameras cannot livestream underwater on their own. Once submerged, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals stop working almost immediately.
Water absorbs high-frequency wireless signals, including the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands used by action cameras. As a result, live preview and camera control are lost as soon as the camera goes underwater. This limitation is explained in more detail in our guide on why Wi-Fi and Bluetooth don’t work underwater.
This article explains how GoPro and DJI action cameras can livestream underwater footage when used with Seavu systems. It focuses on practical setup differences between devices and the types of live-view systems available.
For a broader explanation of live underwater video systems and how they work, see our main guide on how to get a live underwater video feed from your action camera.
GoPro and DJI action cameras include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for live preview, camera control, and streaming. These features work reliably above water.
Underwater, the connection drops because water blocks wireless radio waves. Even shallow depth prevents a stable signal. Without a tethered or wired system, livestreaming underwater is not possible.
This behaviour affects all current GoPro and DJI models, including the GoPro HERO13 and DJI Action 5 Pro.
For a scientific explanation, see:
Why Wi-Fi Doesn’t Work Underwater – National Ocean Service
Seavu systems enable underwater livestreaming by carrying the camera’s signal to the surface using a physical connection. Instead of attempting to send wireless signals through water, the system keeps the wireless connection above the surface.
Seavu supports two livestreaming approaches:
The right approach depends on how and where the camera will be used.
Tethered live-view systems are designed for mobile and field use. They allow GoPro and DJI cameras to stream live underwater footage to a phone or tablet using the camera’s native app.
The tether does not transmit Wi-Fi through water. It carries the signal to the surface, where normal wireless communication resumes.
These systems:
For professional applications such as inspections, research, charter operations, or live production, a wired video output provides greater stability and image quality.
Explorer+ kits support DisplayPort video output over USB-C when used with compatible cameras such as the DJI Action 5 Pro and DJI Action 6.
GoPro cameras can output video using the Media Mod accessory. However, this uses mini HDMI for video only and requires a separate power connection. GoPro models do not currently support native DisplayPort output.
DisplayPort over USB-C allows video and power to be carried through one connection. This reduces cable clutter and improves reliability in professional environments.
Learn more:
DisplayPort technology |
DisplayPort vs HDMI
Livestreaming underwater footage requires more than an action camera alone. Wireless signals cannot travel through water, so a tethered or wired system is essential.
Tethered live-view systems suit mobile use with phones and tablets. Wired DisplayPort systems suit professional workflows where image quality and continuous operation matter.
Seavu systems support both approaches, allowing GoPro and DJI users to livestream underwater footage in real time using the method that best fits their application.
To explore available options, visit seavu.com.
Finding the best underwater camera for your needs isn’t just about video quality — it’s about being able to see what’s happening in real time. Whether you’re fishing, filming marine life, or performing underwater inspections, live visibility makes a huge difference. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best underwater camera for 2025 and show how you can pair it with Seavu’s kits to stream live footage to your phone, tablet, TV, or monitor.
When evaluating the best underwater camera for your activities, keep these key features in mind:
The DJI Action 5 Pro stands out as the best underwater camera for live streaming in 2025.
Seavu Compatible Kits:
The GoPro HERO13 Black is one of the best underwater cameras for high-res footage and data overlay.
Works with all Seavu Kits:
Looking for the best underwater camera without spending too much? The GoPro HERO (2024) delivers excellent value:
Ideal with the Seeker Starter Kit for fishing and general use.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth don’t work underwater — as explained in this UCSB article on underwater communication — which is why Seavu’s tethered systems exist.
Seavu lets you livestream from the best underwater cameras using a cable-to-surface system that sends video to your mobile device, TV, or computer — perfect for research, filming, or fishing.
The best underwater camera in 2025 depends on your needs — whether that’s quality, live output, or budget. Pairing one with a Seavu kit transforms your setup into a live streaming powerhouse, ready for whatever lies beneath the surface.